Recommendations for Groups Developing Naturalization Technology

Building support networks is challenging in a space as personal and sensitive as immigration status. However, many loved ones are already encouraging potential applicants and can be aided in doing more. Additionally, those who have naturalized can be reminded to promote assistance to others in the community.

Recommendations for Context

Guide timing for better support

Communication around naturalization should highlight the potential of including trusted family and friends in one’s journey to seek citizenship.

Some people may need time to warm up to receiving support. During testing, even those with little interest in requesting help at the onset of their application process were open to receiving additional prompts later when help might feel more warranted. Tools that foster assistance from others should provide guidance on timing to make offers of help more contextual. Until the federal government is able to better provide status information, nonprofits that assist with naturalization should attempt to provide options to collaboratively track progress. Features based on real timing will also reduce the sensation of nagging, which can fissure communication between the applicant and support channels.

In reaction to a test emulating a shared checklist with a loved on their naturalization application:

“It gives me a little bit of education of what the process would be like for him…Whenever I was going through the permanent residency stuff with him, I never really knew where things stood. That was actually part of the delay was just not knowing he was waiting for me. Knowing where he stands with certain things would be really helpful for me because I can be accountable but also know when to offer support.” Interviewee S3

“I find it really really clear and like ‘Yeah! Let’s do it!’” Interviewee S5

Facilitate the best way to be helpful

As much as possible, tools to support outreach should help shift the energy spent in nagging toward support that feels more helpful and efficient. When testing scenarios where supporters might reach out to the potential applicants in their life, all messages received high marks except for the one that questioned progress with a somewhat invasive tone. Messaging should always default to the applicant’s privacy preferences and guide a supporter to be helpful within the overlap between what the applicant has identified as useful and what the supporter has agreed to commit to.

In reaction to receiving a text from a loved one that reads: Are you still working on your app? What’s up?

“It would be fine if we had negotiated I had wanted to get checked in this way. For some people I wouldn’t want something that feels like nagging. I would have to think pretty carefully about who I would want to encourage me when I’m not getting good work done on (my application.) If I had asked for an accountability buddy then I would actually feel good about this because it shows they actually care.” Interviewee 4

“If it was just the app, I would be comfortable with it.” Interviewee 4

Generate word of mouth

Tools for citizenship can also be marketed to individuals who may have family or friends eligible to naturalize. Many supporters we spoke to were comfortable with initiating the conversation especially if given easy prompts.

Service providers should re-engage those who have naturalized to spread awareness around resources and events for those seeking citizenship, as well as encouraging them to chaperone family and friends considering citizenship through the process. Additionally, providing naturalized citizens with information regarding common misinformation or barriers would help them build confidence with eligible LPRs who may otherwise be hard to reach.

Government staff could request and showcase examples of successful supporters within the context of oath ceremonies to encourage the recently naturalized to assist others in their family or community in the future.